The miners also blocked traffic on a nearby highway by sitting on the roadand overturning heavy metal carts used to move coal in the mines beforepolice arrived and they dispersed.

Miners in several parts of Spain are protesting over unpaid wages and todemand government aid to the coal industry.

Fifty miners have since September 2 refused to leave a coal mine 500metres (1,650 feet) underground near Guardo in the northern Palenciaprovince until they receive the salaries they are owed for August frommining company Union Minera del Norte (Uminsa).

They are also calling for a guaranteed level of coal purchases so as toensure that Spanish coal-fired power stations buy domestic coal ratherthan imports.